Daily Bread

 

Matthew 6:11 says, Give us today our daily bread.

I eat too much bread, so, in an effort not to eat bread, I don’t buy bread because once bread is in the house I am going to make grilled cheese with a drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of oregano. But that doesn’t mean I don’t pray for daily bread.

We are familiar with that verse in the prayer we fondly call, “The Lord’s Prayer”, but was Jesus referring to actual bread or was that line speaking of something else?

When the Israelites were sojourning through the wilderness, God provided them with fresh “bread” each day; this wasn’t like sliced loaf or dinner rolls, this was something they called manna.

The Israelites called it manna; it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:31 NRSVUE)

Every morning for forty years, after the dew lifted, manna appeared on the ground. This was the Israelites’ life-sustaining provision from God for each day.

This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer per person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents. (v 16 NRSVUE)

So now let’s go back to the daily bread for which Jesus tells us to pray. In Greek, the  word is “epiousion” and “epiousion” roughly means “what is sufficient for the day”. That’s exactly how the Israelites were commanded by God to collect the manna – enough for the day.

Then the Lord said to Moses, I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. (v 4 NRSVUE)

Give us today our daily bread, is about your daily needs; it’s about asking God to provide you with all that’s sufficient for the day.

The truth is, this is not only about being provided with something to eat but about whatever is essential for you to survive the day.

We must trust God enough to know that when we petition Him today for our needs, He already has us covered for tomorrow.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. – Matthew 6:8 (NRSVUE)

So, beloved, pray for your daily bread today and don’t be anxious about tomorrow’s bread.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Daily Bread” © 2026 November 4, 2026

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Crisis

 

Recently I came across a video where a preacher’s wife, standing before the entire congregation of the church, happily introduced their church’s own prominent bible-teaching member as her husband’s new wife. This woman, who proudly announced that they were living a polygamous lifestyle, referred to her husband’s “second wife” as her “sister in marriage”.

My immediate thought was, “What is this madness?” Some of you may have seen the video.

Days later, because I’d watched that video, my feed was filled with videos of persons who were reacting to it, as I scrolled past, one in particular captured my curiosity so, I opened it and the person was talking about this so-called pastor’s myriad misdeeds. It made me wonder just how many people are out here posing as men and women of God. Then I recalled this verse,

The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged. – 1 Peter 4:17 (GNT)

God’s own people, His household, His children, all of us who claim to belong to Him are judged first.

As I pondered, Jesus’ parable about the tares growing among the wheat came to mind. Have you noticed that Jesus never identified who falls into which category?

Some of us may believe that tares don’t dress in clerical collars and stoles or hold leadership roles in church or teach bible study and Sunday School, but when harvest time comes, the tares will certainly be separated from the wheat.

When James’ brother Jude wrote his letter, it was to warn about the infiltration of religious heretics and immoral people into the Christian community. He wrote that some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches (Jude 4 NLT).

From what we see happening today, this is a spiritual crisis that has perpetuated over thousands of years. All too often we hear of scandals within the church involving those from whom we are supposed to receive spiritual guidance.

These leaders stand at pulpits denouncing the lifestyles of others while being secretly engaged in appalling behaviour. The very basis of Christianity is in jeopardy now as it was in Jude’s day.

In his letter, Jude warns against those who pretend to be pious but are rotten to their core, writing that they follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. He describes them as shepherds who feed only themselves, clouds without rain, trees without fruit, wild waves of the sea and wandering stars.

Jude used imagery that was vivid and intense because the spiritual crisis was real, just as real as it is these days. He understood and we must understand that the corruption has the potential of contamination; what starts at the head will inevitably filter down into the body.

Jude’s letter should be a reminder to all of us that God’s judgment and punishment for ungodliness isn’t confined to Old Testament times. Yes, we are living in the dispensation of grace, however, there are still consequences to sinful behaviour.

So, do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant (Galatians 6:7 GNT).

Beloved, if you are claiming Christianity then you can’t simply behave any how you choose; James 4:17 (NLT) is a reminder that it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

You can avoid becoming entangled in the spiritual crisis that seems endemic in the church by first understanding that it is the greatest honour to belong to God, then you must recognize that persevering in this spiritual life can never be sustained by your efforts, it’s possible only by dependence on God, building upon your faith, being prayerful in the power of the Spirit and exercising authentic love – the love of God.

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 24-25 NLT)

Keep looking to God, who is able to keep you from falling.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Spiritual Crisis” © 2026 November 3, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still Good

 

When God began to create…the first day…the second day…the third day…the fourth day…the fifth day…

Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness”…So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them…God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good…the sixth day.

Do you believe that everything God had made is still good?

Do you believe that nowadays when God sees the made-in our-image-according-to-our-likeness humans, that indeed, it was very good is still valid?

It may be hard to believe, but even today, with the mess that we humans have made of the dominion that we were given, God considers everything that He made as still good.

You may be wondering, “How can He?”, it’s because of this…

Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. – Psalm 119:89 (NLT)

And this, Isaiah 40:8 (AMP) says that the word of our God stands forever.

And this, God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie…has He spoken and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19 AMPC)

And this, Mark 10:18 (GNT), No one is good except God alone.

God’s word is eternal; it stands firm, it stands forever, it is unchangeable and because God is intrinsically good, He is good for His word.

So, on the days of creation, when God declared that the light was good, and the earth and seas were good, and the plants and fruit-bearing trees were good, and the sun, moon and stars were good, and every kind of animal was good, and after He completed His best creation yet, and declared that everything was indeed very good, His word was fixed in heaven forever.

All that God does is good and all that He has done is still good, therefore the chaos, disorder, wickedness, distortion and sin prevailing throughout the world since Creation is no fault of His but is the result of the fall from His image and likeness which gave rise to the moral decay of what God originally created good.

God’s love for what and who He created has never wavered. Even after the humans in the Garden flouted His instructions, God demonstrated His innate goodness by immediately effecting His plan to restore all of humankind, culminating in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus, His beloved Son.

Beloved, every action God has implemented throughout the centuries is evidence that He sees His Creation as still good and when He looks at you, He sees the sacrifice of His Son and the image of who you truly are, in Him.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Still Good” © 2026 November 2, 2026

 

 

 

 

“Splanchnizomai”

 

“Splanchnizomai”; what a word. It’s an ancient Greek word which in English expresses “compassion”.

This word can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; let’s look at a few instances from Matthew’s Gospel.

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 15:32 (NIV)

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

Matthew 18:27 (NASB)

And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 20:34 (NASB)

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries defines compassion as,

a strong feeling of sympathy for people or animals who are suffering and a desire to help them

But “splanchnizomai” is deeper than that. As you know, our English words seldom convey what the original Greek words truly express – the depth of the words is lost in translation.

“Splanchnizomai” comes from the word “splanxna”, the inward parts of the body – the heart, the lungs, the liver and the kidneys; who knows, for good measure, the spleen might also be included. In other words, this is something that is felt deep within.

When in Matthew we read that Jesus was moved with compassion, it’s much more intense than emotional empathy, it’s a visceral, gut-wrenching pain. His was not a fleeting sense of pity but a real physical reaction, felt in His internal organs, to both the physical and social suffering of two blind beggars.

“Splanchnizomai” is compassion that demands action. Jesus always had that type of compassion; compassion that moved Him to provide for the hungry, the sick, the outcast, the marginalized, the needy, the weak and the weary.  

Beloved, Jesus had compassion not just for people’s spiritual well-being but for their physical well-being too (see Matthew 15:32 above). You and I are called to have this same compassion for others. Compassion that is “splanchnizomai” – felt so deeply that it pains internally.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Splanchnizomai” © 2026 November 1, 2026

The Call

 

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 1, verse 20 (ESV), we read,

And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

What could have compelled four fishermen, Andrew, Simon, James and John, the first called (see v 16-19), to leave their livelihoods to follow a complete stranger?

Receiving the call from Jesus was no ordinary call; it was the call that caused them, without hesitation, to walk away from the life they knew and follow Him.

You see, the call is less of an invitation and more of a summons in which divine authority is imbedded.

The call is not determined by race, ethnicity, gender, social standing or financial status. For years, these fishermen were portrayed as poor, but they were men of means who ran their own businesses. For that matter, we see in Luke 5:7-10 that James and John worked together with Simon.

Notice that Mark 1:20 lets us know that Zebedee was not only the owner of a boat, but he had employees. We aren’t told the number of employees or the size of the boat, but it’s fair to deduce that to accommodate father, sons and servants, this was not a rowboat.

Having already been well-established, must have made their decision to answer “yes” to the call into the unknown, seem like lunacy. At that time, they, unlike us now, hadn’t a clue about this new way of life to which they were called. They were headed blind in a direction away from loved ones, possessions and the lives they’d built.

Beloved, even today, the call demands the same response. The call of Jesus is a call to act immediately, one way or the other (see Mark 10:17-27). We can choose to follow, or we can resist, however, we are strongly advised in Hebrews 3:15 (ERV), If you hear God’s voice today, don’t be stubborn. The Kingdom is not waiting on you.

The call came and the fishermen responded without delay; what about you?

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Call” © 2026 October 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Hearing

Yesterday a trailer truck driving behind me made a sound, it wasn’t an unfamiliar sound since I’ve heard those trucks make that sound before, but this time I did not hear the sound with my ears, but I felt the sound inside my entire torso. It was an unusual sensation that I truly cannot describe, and it frightened me.

That experience reminded me of a verse that only appears in some bibles. For reasons unknown to me, in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 7, verse 16 in several versions, is completely omitted where verse 15 is immediately followed by verse 17. However, verse 16 can be found in the Amplified Classic edition of the Bible, which bears the footnote: Many manuscripts do not contain this verse.

If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening [and let him perceive and comprehend by hearing].

Whether this verse was once there and removed or added later and by whom is a pointless debate, the fact is, it reinforces our need to hear, not with our physical ears but in a place that is deep inside us. This is a call to hear and listen in our souls.

Every day we are bombarded by noise – external and internal. God is speaking but we’re so distracted by the noise that we neither hear nor listen. We need to develop the ability to hear properly.

When, in Mark 9:7, we read that God said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”, it is a clear indication of the importance of listening, not superficially but hearing with spiritual intention.

Yesterday, I did not simply hear a sound, my “hearing” came as a reverberation felt at the level of my soul. Throughout Jesus’ teaching, when He implores us to truly hear, I believe it is similar or even more intense than what I experienced.

Hearing with our physical ears, is not equated to hearing the spiritual. So that, not everyone who hears, is hearing. Hearing is not a physical act but a spiritual decision. How we understand the Truth depends on the disposition of our souls.

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:” – Mark 7:14 (ESV)

Jesus had just confronted the religious leaders and was now drawing the people to Himself. This was no ordinary call; it was a call for them to turn away from empty religious teachings, traditions and rituals to Truth which necessitates hearing from a different space within because to grasp Truth requires deeper comprehension.

Beloved, this topic is so extensive, too much to cover in one blog post. This is just a nibble to encourage you to go in search of the whole meal.

Keep in mind that Jesus’ call to hearing is not just auditory but is a call to awaken your spiritual understanding.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Hearing” © 2026 October 30, 2026

Discernment

 

When I was a child, our Christmas tree did not appear until Christmas day; on the night of Christmas Eve, the house would be bare of any hint of Christmas as I was shuttled off to bed but on Christmas morning, I would wake up to an assault on my senses. The smell of ham baking and of cakes already baked, and the aroma of the living pine tree; the flurry of colourful decorations that adorned the tree together with the prettiest of drapes on every window were a thrill for my eyes and under the tree, a mountain of gifts patiently waiting to be torn open. Happiness.

My mother, I thought, must be superhuman. How did she do all this in a single night?

Then, I became an adult with my own home. For the first few years, I tried to keep up the tradition but coming home late from work and with two young children, my question remained – how did my mother do it? Nostalgic about his own childhood, my husband, who relished the excitement of the Christmas Eve rush, was sorely disappointed that we could not maintain that tradition. That Christmas we were about to do something brand-new.

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (MSG)

This is what God says,
“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

We are always hard-pressed to let go of traditions. We become so nostalgic about what we used to do or how things used to be – we keep going over old history. Nothing is wrong with reminiscing but clinging to the past can blind us to the new thing that God is doing in our lives.

To be blind to what God is doing refers more to the lack of spiritual discernment than to the physical lack of sight. If we are living in our past, we can never be attentive to what is happening around us in the present.

God wants us to be alert and to be present – He is the God of now, after all, God never introduced Himself as “I WAS” or I WILL BE”, but “I AM”. He knows our past and is aware of our future, but He is in our present.

Beloved, even now God is calling you into the present, so that you may be able to discern His brand-new move in your life. He does not want you to miss out on experiencing the true Source of spiritual power. God knows the dangers of being overly fixated on what has passed.

Keep in mind that even if you don’t see the new thing that God is doing, that doesn’t mean that something isn’t happening, for He is the God who creates new things out of nothing (ref. Romans 4:17).

The same God who did something brand-new in Isaiah’s day is the same God who is doing something brand-new in your life today.

Pray for discernment – vision to see spiritually.

 

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Discernment” © 2026 October 30, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Remember Lot’s wife

 

“On that day someone who is on the roof of a house must not go down into the house to get any belongings; in the same way anyone who is out in the field must not go back to the house. Remember Lot's wife!” – Luke 17:31-32 (GNT)

Jesus was talking to His disciples. He had just responded to some Pharisees who had asked Him about the coming of the Kingdom of God. To them, Jesus said,

The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within you. – Luke 17:20-21 (GNT)

Then, Jesus turned to His disciples to explain further, and it was in this explanation that He cautioned, Remember Lot’s wife.

Notice that immediately before that, Jesus had warned the disciples to not go back. What did Lot’s wife do? She neither went down nor went back, however, she looked back.

Lot’s wife looked back to where she had once been.

Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62 (GNT)

Let’s say you’re in an awful relationship; you’ve prayed endlessly for a way to escape. God answers your prayer, spectacularly. He gives you a final instruction, “Do not look back.”

But you have your doubts, not that you don’t believe it’s God’s doing but still, you’re conflicted, double-minded (see James 1:7-8). You’re walking away but there’s a painful yearning for what was.

Like Lot’s wife, you haven’t truly detached yourself from Sodom. She paid the consequences which were dire and if you’re not careful, you will too. Lot’s wife physically walked away but her heart was still tied to Sodom and so, she suffered the fate of the Sodomites as if she had remained in the city.

Remember Lot’s wife.

This was just a simple example but there’s so much more to “looking back” when it comes to our Christian walk. The Christian walk is a forward journey; it is a path of progression that demands total commitment to the direction we have chosen to take. Looking back to whatever we have left behind reveals a divided heart.

If your heart is not in it then you’re not prepared to plow ahead. The capacity required for Kingdom living involves dedication to Jesus. Attachment to the past prevents us from advancing in this spiritual life. That’s the spiritual reality.

Jesus told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God is within you that’s because the Kingdom of God is not confined to any physical place.

When God said to Jeremiah, “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33 GNT), it demonstrated that the Kingdom of God is not external but an internal manifestation in the hearts of those who surrender their lives to Him.

Jesus was then and is now the living manifestation of the Kingdom within us.

Too many of us are looking back. Stop trying to go back to the life you left behind.

Beloved, clinging to what was prevents you from embracing what is. It’s difficult but you must walk away from anything that’s detrimental to your spiritual life.

You must Remember Lot’s wife and don’t be salty, instead take time to honestly examine your heart. Are you yearning for whatever or whoever God has removed from your life? Are you looking back to the past longingly?

It’s time to throw off the fetters of the past, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13 AMP).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Remember Lot’s wife” © 2026 October 28, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut it off

 

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell

Those were Jesus’ words recorded in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 43 to 47.

“cut it off”…“cut it off”…“pluck it out”

Then, Jesus quotes Isaiah 66:24,

“where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

Jesus’ warnings are not meant to instil fear but to awaken us to the seriousness of the consequences of causing anyone who believes in Him to stumble (ref. Mark 9:42).

These are warnings that we must take to heart, for it not only applies to causing others to stumble but to our own selves, as many times we engage in actions of spiritual self-sabotage.

More often than not, following Jesus entails the cutting off of certain parts of our lives. We know in our spirits exactly what those parts are. Sometimes it’s types of behaviour, sometimes it’s people and most times it’s both.

When part of yourself is spiritually destroying you, cut it off. It’ll be loss that results in eternal gain.

As Jesus said, It is better for you to enter life maimed, crippled and with one eye, than to have everything intact and be thrown into hell.

After all, what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)

Beloved, life demands critical decisions and walking the spiritual journey is no different.

You have to determine whether or not you will remain on the path or allow yourself to be diverted off it because it’s not always an easy walk. Chances are you will stumble from time to time, but you must decide if you will let yourself fall or if you will steady yourself and continue on – where your soul spends eternity depends on the decisions you make today.

So, whatever it is that’s causing you to stumble, cut it off.

Amen †

Note: All readings are from the NIV

Shelley Johnson “Cut it off” © 2026, October 27, 2026

Churchgoers, you need to stop

 

Churchgoers, you need to stop!

Not stop going to church, stop judging people who don’t “look the part”. Please, don’t pretend, you know what you do.

Someone comes to church, but you think the person doesn’t look Christian enough or at all so, you’re quick to pass judgment on that person.

This person and that person isn’t one of us so, you label the person.

Sister Elaine is not a member of your church clique so, she better not sit in your pew.

Every Sunday you are in church, yet you do not speak to brother Randy because you find him standoffish.

Churchgoers, you need to stop.

Stop feeling that you are better than or more deserving than or more Christian than; you might just get a rude awakening when you say, “Lord, Lord”. How many times will it take hearing sermons on Matthew 7:21-23 before it takes root? It’s as if you are determined to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah, you will be ever hearing but never understanding (ref. Matthew 13:14 NIV).

If what Matthew recorded Jesus as saying has never even nudged you, maybe what Mark recorded will.

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” – Mark 9:38 (NIV)

Imagine someone is actually driving out demons, not anyhow but in the Name above all names, and because John and the other disciples did not consider this person to be, one of us, they told the person to stop.

Does this sound familiar? A believer from another church or of a different denomination to yours or even one in your own congregation is clearly Spirit led but because she or he isn’t one of us, you and your fellow churchgoers put a stop to whatever this believer is doing in Jesus’ name.

I’ve seen this happen countless times. As simple as a young believer, praising God by playing a tambourine, being told to stop because certain persons were offended by the noise. Imagine that. And when I tell you, I had never heard a tambourine played like that in church before or since. But she was not one of them.

Sadly, she never played again and eventually she left altogether.

What was Jesus’ response?

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” – Mark 9:39-41 (NIV)

Mull over that for a minute.

Whoever is not against us is for us. Not my words.

Anyone who gives you a cup of water in Jesus’ name because of the mere fact that you belong to Him, will certainly not lose their reward. Not my words.

Why do Churchgoers seem to be always against churchgoers?

And immediately after that, Jesus went on to say,

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” – Mark 9:42 (NIV)

Churchgoers, you need to stop causing other believers to stumble; this is a warning from Jesus. Again, not my words.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Churchgoers, you need to stop” © 2026 October 26, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a reminder

 

Today, no long talk, just a reminder…

Romans 3:21-24 (MSG)

But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, your sins can never eclipse the light of His grace and mercy.

Amen †

 

A play on words: Hamartia

 

I very recently came across the word “hamartia”. Perhaps you've seen it before, but it was new to me. It’s a noun in English but its origin is a Greek verb – “hamartanein”.

This is our English definition of “hamartia”:

a fatal flaw, error in judgment, or misstep that causes a hero or protagonist to suffer a major downfall

And this is the Greek meaning of the verb from which it’s derived:

To miss the mark

Picture an archer; he positions his body in line with his target, now poised to release the arrow, he controls his breath, aims at the target, draws the bowstring and releases the arrow. The arrow sails through the air but completely misses the target.

What went wrong?

The archer’s precision may have been off, or perhaps he wasn’t properly aligned with his intended target, or maybe his issue was an inconsistent anchor point. Whatever the problem, he missed the mark, the arrow deviated from its prescribed path.

Like the archer’s arrow, Adam deviated from his prescribed path when he indulged in eating the fruit that God had specifically warned him not to eat.

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” – Genesis 2:16-17 (NLT)

Adam strayed off the right path, he missed the mark and his disobedience to God was the entry point for sin.

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. – Romans 5:12 (NLT)

The writers of the New Testament primarily used the word “hamartia” which was translated to English as “sin”.

As mentioned before, “hamartia” literally means to miss the mark; it’s deviating from God's purpose.

In John 15:22, it implies a moral and spiritual condition of separation from God.

They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. (NLT)

Much broader than what our English word "sin" implies, “hamartia”, both in English and in Greek, applies not only to behaviour, but aptly describes our human affliction.

According to Isaiah 59:2, sin results in separation from God and Jesus Himself warned unbelievers saying,

“I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.” – John 8:21(NLT)

Beloved, Jesus came to bridge that gap of separation. He leads you along the path of righteousness, however, if you choose to continue feeding your sinful nature, then you cannot go where Jesus is going and you will die in your sin.

Why not accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him? The opportunity has a time, and that time is today; remember, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A play on words: Hamartia” © 2026 October 24, 2026

 

A play on words: Ginosko

  

Ginosko is a Greek word which means to, “know”, “come to know”, “recognize” and “perceive”.

Ginosko is not head knowledge but lived experience; it’s not data but a lived revelation.

As Jesus said,

everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock – Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Jesus here, is speaking of spiritual wisdom which isn’t determined by what you know, but by living what you know.

Unlike our English verb “know”, the Greek “ginosko” carries the implication of a full, intuitive, and penetrating knowledge.

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? – Matthew 16:8 (NIV)

It’s a keen awareness; it’s an absolute knowing – that you know that you know that you know – something that emanates from deep within. Jesus had perceived the disciples’ bewilderment.

Ginosko also speaks of intimate knowledge, as in Mary’s encounter with Archangel Gabriel.

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” – Luke 1:34 (NKJV)

In this context, the word “ginosko” is used idiomatically to indicate that Mary had not experienced sexual intimacy with a man.

When Jesus spoke of knowing the Father in John 8:55, again it implies an intimate and relational knowledge, based on His personal experience.

Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. (NIV)

Beloved, even though “ginosko” has been translated to English in our bibles as “to know”, “to come to know”, “recognize” and “perceive”, with a play on words, still there is no equivalent to truly convey what this Greek word implies.

Ginosko is experiential knowledge, it is therefore not abstract, or theoretical, or merely intellectual but so much deeper.

When Jesus said, I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John 10:14 NIV), He was not speaking superficially, Jesus was speaking of being in close, personal and intimate relationship with His sheep, that’s you.

And Jesus knowing you, is you experiencing everything that “ginosko” encompasses being in a real living relationship with Him, right now.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “A play on words: Ginosko” © 2026 October 23, 2026

 

A play on words: Transformation

…a wicked person who turns his back on that life of sin and keeps all my statutes, living a just and righteous life, he’ll live, really live. He won’t die. I won’t keep a list of all the things he did wrong. He will live. Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn’t it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living? (Ezekiel 18:21-23 MSG); if a bad person turns away from his bad life and starts living a good life, a fair life, he will save his life. Because he faces up to all the wrongs he’s committed and puts them behind him, he will live, really live. He won’t die. (Ezekiel 18:27-28 MSG)

This seems like quite a lot to assimilate but in these verses God’s message through the prophet Ezekiel is speaking of turning the course of one’s life around.

Now, this is not an unfamiliar topic, you’ve heard this before, you’ve even read about it right here in Bethel at Balata but it’s a good habit to revisit topics from time to time.

God asks, Isn’t it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living?  

Turn around, turn one’s back on, turn away from are other ways of saying “repent”, it’s a play on words that speaks of transformation and God’s message is very clear.

Too many people are still under the impression that repentance is only tied to one’s emotions – feelings of guilt and remorse but that’s just the beginning of it.

Repentance involves the changing of your mind and direction. As Paul said in Romans 12:2,

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. (TLB)

Repentance is transformation because it is a conscious turning from that life of sin. It’s purposefully leaving that life behind, completely walking away from it to start living a good life in order that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This profound transformation, simply expressed, is a life-altering shift from a self-centred, sin-centred lifestyle to a life that is God-centred and God-dependent.

The Greek word is “metanoeo” which describes an inner reorientation toward God, such that the very way a person perceives life itself is transformed.

solemnly [and wholeheartedly] testifying to both Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance to God (ref. Acts 20:21 AMP)

Here, Paul is saying that repentance to God is a necessity.

Beloved, in the Amplified version of Matthew 4:17 it is written,

 Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

You see, repentance was never about your wallowing in guilt and shame, it’s so much deeper than that, it speaks of a radical, intentional, change in consciousness.

It is “metanoeo”, a word for which our English language has no equivalent.

It is a complete transformation of your life, of your mind, of your direction, of your previous spiritual condition; it is a spiritual awakening where your new life begins.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “A play on words: Transformation” © 2026 October 22, 2026

 

A play on words: the Word

 

Many years ago, I was explaining to someone the meaning of a passage of Scripture that I’d read and researched. The person did not agree with my explanation, not because it did not make sense but, as they said, “You’re not a priest, you didn’t go to theological college. If you were a priest, then I’d agree with you.”

That person was right, I did not go to theological college, and to date I haven’t been but that does not disqualify me or you or anybody else from being used by God to spread the Word.

Now, if you take it upon yourself to simply memorize and rattle off the Word, without proper study, without thorough research, without context and all without Spirit’s guidance, then there’s a danger in that, as chances are, you’d be misleading others. And, frankly, even some who have been ordained or attended Bible School can sometimes convey inaccuracies.

That’s why we’re warned to not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God (ref. 1 John 4:1-3).

We must read the Word for ourselves but not in a vacuum. Ministers, Reverends, Priests and Pastors are there to lead and assist in steering the flock in the right direction, but what happens after Church? What happens to our bibles when we get home? Does your bible go back on a shelf until the next Lord’s Day?

You may be daunted to venture into the Word on your own but in these modern, digital times, there are tools at our fingertips that can help us better understand the Word. And of course, our first port of call must be the Holy Spirit who is always available; He is our Teacher (ref. John 14:26); He is at the ready to lead you into all the truth (John 16:13).

It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth about God (John 16:13). He reveals the things of God to us and searches everything, even the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

The Word is a play on words in the sense that throughout the Word, words are interwoven with other words like fabric. Looking closely, you can see the same theme appearing in several books and something in the Old Testament reflected in the New.

Take a look at Jeremiah 17:13 and John 8:1-11, what do you see?

The Apostle Paul rests his doctrine of faith, Romans 1:17, on the word of Habakkuk 2:4.

It’s all connected and every word matters. Deep dives are necessary because the Bible was not originally written in English so, much has been lost in translation. In many cases, our English words simply cannot convey the nuances found in the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. Therefore, the deeper meaning of the verses is not translated.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4 ESV)

For example, “faith” in this verse is the Greek word “pistis”. “Pistis” isn’t just a matter of our belief. According to Strong’s Lexicon, it is “"God's divine persuasion" and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence) yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will”.

“Pistis” is not the only word translated as faith in the Word, however, in the New Testament it is the most used word, appearing almost 500 times. That’s because “pistis”, a genuine act of faith, was and is required to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

It’s not a superficial belief that He is but an absolute trust that He is.

Beloved, you don’t need to be in possession of a degree in theology, you don’t need to be fluent in Hebrew and Greek and Aramaic but you do need to be willing to read and learn and study and become spiritually aware and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

And you must be open to receive information that may be new to you that does not align with what you’ve believed all your life; you must approach the Word not with arrogance but with reverence, only then would you truly be able to apprehend a play on words that is the Word.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A play on words: the Word” © 2026 October 21, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A play on words: Magdalene

 

Traditionally Magdala is believed to be the town from which Mary Magdalene came. Though the word itself does not explicitly occur in the biblical text, it does appear in footnotes.

And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.[a] – Mark 8:10 (ESV)

[a] Some manuscripts Magadan, or Magdala 

Like Paul of Tarsus or Jesus of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene is sometimes referred to as Mary of Magdala.

We know that Mary was a woman of means since she is mentioned as one of the women who financially supported Jesus and His twelve disciples as they went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God (see Luke 8:3).

We know that Mary is mentioned more often than the other female followers of Jesus and is usually first on the list.

Mary…and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to them out of their own resources. (Luke 8:2, 3 NRSVUE)

We know that Mary endured the torment of seven demons until they were cast out by Jesus.

Mary…from whom seven demons had gone out (Luke 8:2 NRSVUE)

We know that Mary ardently followed Jesus in Galilee and ministered to Him.

Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, who followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him (Mark 15:40-41 NRSVUE)

We know that Mary was an eyewitness to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25 NRSVUE)

We know that Mary was first to see the resurrected Christ.

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. (Mark 16:9 NRSVUE)

But did you know that Mary was actually called Magdalene? She was called Magdalene instead of Mary, like a home name. I have a friend named Corinne, but she’s called Sally and my friend Giselle is called Candace at home. So, Magdalene was probably her nickname. It is clearly stated in Luke 8:2: Mary, called Magdalene (NRSVUE) and in another version, Mary, who was called Magdalene (ERV).

But why?

Now, we know that Mary’s commitment and loyalty were unshakable; while others scattered, she remained stoic to the cause. Mary was no shirker; she was a dedicated follower devoted to her Rabbi right up until what was thought to be the end.

Without fear, she went to the tomb where she bravely responded to the “gardener”, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (John 20:15 NRSVUE).

Mary was a courageous woman who overcame her demons; given the first apostolic charge by Jesus to announce His resurrection, she was a strong woman who stood her ground against those skeptical of her claim; she was a revolutionary who was instrumental in the formation of the early church.

So, it’s no wonder she was called Magdalene.

You see, beloved, Magdalene isn’t just a reference to a place, it’s derived from the Greek word “magdala”, a transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic, “migdala”, it is a word which means “tower” – Mary was called Tower.

It’s a play on words to not only inform where she was from but an apt expression of who she was.

Of all the disciples, Mary was the Tower, Mary was literally Magdalene. The Magdalene is our example of what true discipleship looks like.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “A play on words: Magdalene” © 2026 October 20, 2026

 

 

Wings

 

There are references to wings all through the Bible.

A songwriter named Bob Ferguson wrote a song in 1958; the chorus went like this,

If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest

Some of you might remember this catchy chorus but did you know that these words are in the Bible? 

These words were taken from Psalm 55, a psalm King David wrote while experiencing a wave of anguish because of the betrayal of his most trusted advisor, Ahithophel, who joined forces with Absalom to revolt against his father David, which is a whole other sordid story for another day.

The king wrote,

Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest (v 6 NIV)

Other references to wings can be found in Psalm 36:7 (NIV),

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

And the all too familiar Psalm 91:4 states,

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

In Deuteronomy 32:11, Moses assures the Israelites of God’s care,

He shielded him and cared for him…like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. (NIV)

When Ruth went to the threshing floor, Boaz asked, “Who are you?” She said, “I am Ruth, your servant girl. Spread your cover [or the corner of your garment; or your wings] over me…” (Ruth 3:9 EXB)

And before that in chapter 2, verse 12, Boaz had said to her,

May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. (NIV)

These verses barely touch the proverbial tip of the iceberg when it comes to wings related references. You would notice that they’re mostly referring to protection, that’s what wings symbolize in most of Scripture.

Psalm 18:10 and 139:9 describe the wind and the dawn as having wings to demonstrate God’s swiftness and accessibility.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings – Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

Malachi delivered this messianic prophecy; it’s a play on words foretelling the promise of healing of the faithful.

Then [And look/behold,] a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years [probably a chronic menstrual disorder] came behind Jesus and touched the edge [or tassels see Numbers 15:38-39] of his coat [cloak; garment] – Matthew 9:20 (EXB)

This woman whose faith made her well, would have touched the tassels of Jesus’ outer garment which, according to Numbers 15:38-39, were placed on the corner of your garment; or your wings, like Boaz’s garment in Ruth 3:9.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word “kanaph” meaning “corner” and “wing”, is used in both Malachi 4:2 and Matthew 9:20. There’s healing in those wings!

Jesus, grieving over Jerusalem, lamented,

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. – Matthew 23:37 (NIV)

Beloved, these are but a few instances of wings contained in the Bible; there are many more references to wings, some are literal, but most are figurative.

So, when you read the Bible and you come across the word wings, research for yourself what it means in context, that you may have a better understanding of the Word.

Here’s one more,

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Wings” © 2026 October 19, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Mercy

 

1 Peter 1:3 (NLT), as it is written,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

God’s mercy is a wonderful blessing, and though it is free, it still cost a great price – death on a cross. Jesus’ death was by far the greatest demonstration of God’s mercy toward an undeserving sinful people.

The truth is, we are all in need of God’s mercy every day of our lives. Some believe that they can do things to earn God’s mercy but that is not true. We are not required to perform any deeds in order to earn mercy.

God is merciful to us because He loves us so much that He gave His only Son as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. But to those who reject Jesus Christ as Saviour God’s mercy is not promised.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. – John 3:18 (NIV)

We must understand that God offered Jesus to die in our place because of His great mercy, and now we can receive new birth through believing, accepting and confessing Jesus Christ as Saviour.

Beloved, God’s mercy is given to you afresh each day when you trust Jesus Christ for your salvation.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

(Lyrics and Music by Thomas Chisholm / W.M. Runyan)

 

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “God’s Mercy” ©2013 (4-Oct-13) revisited October 19, 2026

 

The GOAT

 

Everybody wants to be the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time. People beam with delight and strut with pride on being named or referred to as the GOAT.

In Jesus’ day, there were two brothers, disciples James and John, who wanted to be in positions of greatness and said to Jesus,

“Let us share the great honor you will have as king. Let one of us sit at your right side and the other at your left.” – Mark 10:37 (ERV)

Jesus responded in verse 38,

“You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink from the cup that I must drink from? Can you be baptized with the same baptism that I must go through?”

Sometimes we ask to be elevated but we don’t understand what we are asking for, we don’t understand what it takes to hold such a position.

When my brother and I were young children, he told me something I have never forgotten. He said to me, “Never wish for what other people have because you do not know what they had to go through to get it.” Those were wise words out of the mouth of a pre-teen boy.

These sons of Zebedee hadn’t a clue of what Jesus would have to go through. They did not understand the price Jesus would have to pay.

Recently I’ve listened to certain celebrities speaking about the things they were forced to endure for fame, to be labelled the GOAT. Some have quit the business because being the greatest wasn’t worth it – the price was too great.

In their ignorance, James and John were undaunted, responding to Jesus’ questions with a resounding, “Yes, we can!” (v 39 ERV).

At another time, just after Jesus shared the last supper with His disciples, the question of greatness again showed its head.

Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest – Luke 22:24 (MSG)

Everybody wants to be great and being great at what you do isn’t a bad thing, but when it is saturated in pride is when there’s a problem.

In both instances, that saturation was very evident to Jesus, so He had to bring His disciples down many notches.

To James and John, Jesus said, Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. (Mark 10:43 MSG) and to the larger group, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. (Luke 22:26 GNT).

Pride must never be left to bloom; it must always be nipped in the bud. James 4:6, quoting Proverbs 3:34 says,

As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (GNT)

Too many of us yearn to be the GOAT; it’s just as prevalent in the church as it is outside the church. Everybody’s vying for a label of one kind or another. Mind you, nothing is wrong with having aspirations, but humility must play a part.

Jesus said to the disciples,

Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves. – Luke 22:27 (GNT)

Jesus also told them that the leader must be like the servant (v 26).

For all those who like to be known as the GOAT, do you know what the goat symbolizes in Scripture?

The goat is symbolic of the nature of sin. Leviticus 16:7-10 describes a ritual which was performed on the Day of Atonement where two goats had sin “imparted” to them to atone for the sins of the people.

The goat also symbolized a demon, and the goat was symbolic of the Greek general and emperor, Alexander the Great and his empire.

The goat could represent one who was ready to fight against God and Jesus said that on Judgment Day, the goats will be separated from the sheep, that is the unrighteous from the righteous.

Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. – Matthew 25:41 (MSG)

Still want to be the GOAT?

Beloved, Jesus Christ said,

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. (John 10:10 GNT)

The goat, as sin, steals, kills and destroys you spiritually, while life in all its fullness is to be found, not on the basis of status, but by humility, discipleship, service and in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The GOAT” © 2026 October 17, 2026